Motion and direction indicator for motor vehicles



Nov.. 1o, 1925 C. H. LIDDELL MOTION AND DIRECTION INDICATOR FOR MOTORVEHICLES Filed March 2e. 1924 v z sheets-smeet `1 Nov. 10I 1925.1,560,703

c. H. LIDDELL MOTION AND DIRECTION INDICATOR FOR MOTR VHICLES 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 26. 1924 Patented Nov. 10, 1925.

UNITED STATES CHARLES H.- HDDELL, or RAYMOND, wASHlNeTON.

MOTION AND DIRECTION INDICATOR FO'Iif,1Vl0"10IVEHIGIES.`

Application led March 26, 1924. Serial No. 702,042.

To all whom t may concern: y

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. LIDDELL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Raymond, in the county of Pacific and State of Washington,have invented certain new and useful Improvements .in Motion andDirection Indicators for Motor Vehicles,v of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to motion and direction indicators for vehicles,and has for one of its objects to provide a device of this characterwhich may beeiiiciently employed to indicate to the operators'ofapproaching and following vehicles, as well as to pedestrians andothers, the intended movements of the opera-tor of the vehicle carryingthe. apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the classdescribed in which the indicator or indicators may be convenientlylocated at some point onV the vehicle where they will be readily visiblefrom both the front an-d'rear', while the control mechanism foractuating the indicators is conveniently located, for example, on thesteering column.

A still further object of the invention is to providea motion anddirection indicator in which the indicating mechanism may be manuallyset and will be automatically reset by the movements of a portion of thesteering mechanism.

With the above and other objects in View which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists in the novel details ofconstruction and combinations and arrangements of parts, Vmore fullyhereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims. y

A' Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of thisspecification in which like numerals designate like parts in all theviews; i

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a motor vehicle showing asingle indicator attached to the windshield frame thereof and thecontrol mechanism therefor positioned upon theisteering column;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the controlmechanism. the steering mechanism of the `automobile being shown inelevation; n

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the parts shown in Fig. 2, takenapproximately on the plane indicated by ythe line .3-13 ofv 5 5, 6-6,and 7.-,-7 of Fig( 2,'loo`king down Fig. 8 is a vertical sectionalelevational view of the indicating mechanism and housing therefor; and,

Fig. 9 is an edge elevational View of the parts shown in Fig. 8, as seenfrom :the left of the said vehicle.

Referring more particularly to the said drawings, the numeral 10indicates generally the body of an automobile o-fany type,

here shown as a carl of the pleasure` type,

which is provided with a windshield frame 11 and a steering column12,*sur1no`unted by the usual steering wheel 13. The lcon- 'trolmechanism for actuating the indicating portion of the present inventionis preferably encased in a suitablehousing15, here shown as comprisingthe' thin hollow metal cylinder mounted adjacent the -upper end of thesteering column 12 immediately below the hub 14 ofthe steering wheel 13.

The said control mechanism comprises a plurality of superposed `discs16, 17,18, 19, 20 and 21, mounted within the said housing 15 andprovided' with central -axial apertures whereby they may be slipped uponthe steering column 12, as will be readilyunderstood. The lower disc 21is secured in any suitable manner as by the screws 22 to the housing 15and the said disc is likewise rigidly secured inany suitable manner, forexample, by the key 23. to the steering column 12. The uppermost disc 16is freely rotatable within the casing or housing 15 and is rigidlyconnected to theV hub'14 of the steering wheel 13, so as, to rotatetherewith, in any suitable manner,'as for example by means ofthe key 24.

As is best shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the disc 16 is provided on itsunder surface with a recess25, which'is adapted to accommodate apinion26, rigidly carriedby they upper end ofa shaft 27, journalled in asuitable bore 28, with whicht the disc is providedt The said disc 16rigidly carries la segmental gearl or yrackl 29, theteetli of which meshwith the teeth of the pinion 26, so that when there is relativemovementbetween thediscs 16 and 17, as will presently appear, the said pinion 26and shaft 27 will be oscillated through a predetermined arc of a circle.

The parts are y`so designed and constructed that the recess 25, whilesomewhat elongated, as shown in Fig. 4, is relatively short, and when apredetermined amount of angular movement of the disc 16, relative to thedisc 17, has occurred, one end of the wall or the other of the saidrecess will be brought into contact with the outer circumference of thesaid pinion and any further movement of the disc 16 will be transmitteddirec'tly to the disc 17, so that the two will move in unison.

The third di'sc 18 is rigidly secured to th-e outer housing 15, as bythe screw 30, and its central aperture is of somewhat greater diameterthan that of the steering column 12. The fourth disc 19 is provided withan annular flange 31, surrounding its central aperture on-its surface,which projects upwardly to engage the lower 'surface of the disc 17, aswill be clear from Fig. 2, the outside diameter of the said flangebeing` somewhat less than the diameter of the aperture in the disc 18,thereby providing an annular groove 32 between the discs 17 and 19, intowhich groove projects the lower end of the shaft'27, see Figs. 2 and 3.This said lower end is preferably bifurcated to receive oneend of a. dog33, which is pivotally secured thereto by a pin 34, see Figs. 2, 3 and5, and the toe 35 of the said dog is normally urged downwardly intoengagement with the upper surface of the. disc 19 by means of a'suitable spring 36 carried by 'the shaft 28, as will be readilyapparent.

As is best shown in Fig. 5, the inner circumference of the disc 18 iscut away, as

Yindicated at 37 to provide a recess adapted to permit of theoscillation of the dog 33 through an are of approximately 180 degrees,for a purpose which will appear more fullv below.

The fourth disc 19 is provided with an .eccentrically located bore 38and a counterbore 39, which are so positioned as to be normally in axialalignment with the shaft A plunger or pin 40 is slidably mounted in thebore 38Y and is provided with an enlarged head 41, which may enter thecounter-bore 39, which counter-bore also receives a suitable spring 4,2surrounding the said pin 40 and engaging iits head te normall-,T

are initially locked together, so as to move in unison, by a lockingmeans which will now be described, the said locking means beingautomatically operated to unlock the said discs at a predetermined pointduring their movement, whereby the disc 2O may be returned to itsinitial position in advance of 'the disc 19. The saidloclring means ishere illustrated as comprising a locking pin 45, see Figs. 2, and 5,slidably mounted in a bore 46 with which the disc 19 is provided, thesaid disc being counter-bored to accominodate the enlarged head 47 ofthe said locking pin 45, as well as the coiled spring 48 which normallyurges the pin downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 2.

The said pin 45 is further provided with a reduced extension orprojection 49 below the head 47, which may enter the upper portion of abore 50 with which the disc 2O is provided, the saidbore being noreinally in aXial alignment with the bore 46 ofthe disc 19. rl`he saiddisc 2O is also provided with an enlarged recess 51 to receive theenlarged head or shoe 52 of a pin or plunger 53, which is slidablymounted within the bore 50, the 'said head, when in its lowermostposition, engaging the upper surface of the sixth disc 21.

Thelowermost disc 21 which is rigidly vsecured to the steering` columnA12 against both axial and circumferential movement, is

provided with a pair of 'spaced plunger members 55 and 56, see Figs. 2and 7, which are received in suitable recesses 57 and 58 respectively,provided in the upper surface of the said disc 21. These said plungermembers are normally urged upwardly by means of suitable springs, suchas 59, see

2, into engagement with the lower surface of the disc 20, and" they areso positioned radially from the airis of the discs as to lie in the pathof travel of the shoe 52, so that they may contact therewith atpredetermined times, to urge the said shoe and plunger 53 upwardly tounlock the discs 19 and 20.

It will, of course, be understood that the springs such as 59 must` beheavy enough to exert a force greater than that exerted by the spring48, so that'when they apply upward pressure to the plunger 53, thelatter will, through its contact with. the projection 49, raise thelocking pin 45 until the said projection 49v clears the disc 20,whereupon movement of the disc 2O relative to the 'disc 19 in acircumferential direction, will be possible.

The disc 21 is further provided on its upper surface with an arcuategroove or recess 60, see Figs. 2 and 7. extending through an arc'ofapproximately 180 degrees, and the said groove` is provided at oradjacent its ends with pins or projections 61. to'wliich are secured theends .of the coiledsprings .62 venel 6has will ,he olea? -loln the'eeiclFig,` 7. They other ends of the said spiing's and 63, are secured to a.pin I,64, cfaiii'd by the disc 2J, will be *.cilve'ai fpoin thedrawings. y l l The 'casing oi housing l5 of the contiol mechanism Visprovided With the acuatc slots G5, adjacent the'diso 19, ,thiough whichproject an operating Vhandle or lever G6, which is rigidly s uied tolthe said disc 19, and the downwardly extending rods 6?, to theloweiends'otnhich is secured the member 67', rotatably mounted on thesteelt'` ing column 12,. which is provided with a suitable ball other nuniversal joint 6,8, which is connected thlfough the medium of a,connecting nod o1' link 6.9 to a crank ,arm 70, lcalxried by' a shait'71, Asuitably mounted for rotation in the casing or housing 7 2`of theindicatoinu The said :indicattfiV maybe of any desired form, but ishei'e shown ae comfin'iene en noloetne" mernher '73 fofy eheet metal o1''other materiahoutlto simulate"aV human hand, which member is pivota'llvmounted 'Within the casing'72 upon a. shaft 74. The ,said indicatormember 73 has in- .tegrnlly lformeel therewith; or rigidly .oonneetedthereto., .e eeelnentel geur-.75, @the .teeth of whieh Ineeh lvWithla"companion geen,

rigidly mounted upon the )shaft 71.

The indicator member.'73 'Cartris a pair ,of pivotazlly mounted digits,77 uvhich nteroonneet-ed hy a' link 80.'end which, under the inilmniceof aspr'ing" v,81, ape ,moved .to .e epnenfl posit-19115 ueehofwn :inFig. l, Whenever the Aindicato-r voccupies, anylout the neutralposition.The `digit mayeneee'e Suitable Stop @of th'ehnohu'ellof the casing 7 2when in the neutral .position to cause the digits to assumethe positionsshown in full lln'eS in 8. may be mounted on the .casing 72 to illumienate the indicatoijat night. Y

The-operation is es. follone Suionoene,

for example, it' be desi'ed to make a hand tunn and to indicate the sameto approaching o r 'following dniveis, pedestrians, oi' '.otheis.`.'llhe operator .of the machine equipped with the present inventionrwill efeeio theoperetne handle 66 and will. move the saine in aneunten-clockwise dilrec tion, as viewed i-n Figs. l and 6, to the limitof ite movement. This .motion wlh of coin-'sabe transmitted tothe disc19, which .Carries the handle' 66., end Sinoe this dise .19 ie nt thistime nterlooheel with the elise 2O by reasonr of' the proieoton 4 9 .ofthe locking pin 415 engaging .the uppei Portion of the bore 50 of thedso2Q, this 'letter die@ will likewise be moved..

The movement .of the disc 2,0 vuillhbe against the tension oil?l thelspring ,63, by reason of the .connection of the said :disc with Athesaid spring hy nnennsof the pin 6.4.; Suchmovenient of the two dises inAt-l-.le Sanne been ignoved from its iullline' position indiflilteotion.will Continue until .the linut .of l i c until ite heee-.l off Shoe 52'egne'es the upper surface ofthe enlapgedfi'ecess 51` at time thep1;oje0tion'l9o the looking pin @Savill have 'been .moved ,outiloftlie'uppei Portion of .the here 5.0,.the1ehy unlocking the disc`2O lrointhe disc 19, whereupon the spiing 63 -niill to -ieSQie ,the disc 2O toOriginal -position. i u u l' Th'ehnovenlent in a oroulnferentel dinan?flQn O the disc 20, lrelative ,to the 1.9, Vwill, nfiove'the v ecess4:3. in the upper .suieiace of tlfiefsa'id dise 2.0, oubof alignmentwith the heeel .41 of the Piu orfnlnngeell .onhe- 1the saidvhead to rideon the upper .ShllS-Ce 'Orf the .ClSC' 2Q @unt 12.1.5 @135.59m ,off the,Spring 42. "lhleupwenol .movement the plunge" ".Wll'cauee yits upper.en 'ato PiQJ'uCf/ beyond. thilPB-Aslllfmle f the ClfSC into theannulapgnoove, w f f'lhe indicator inthe meantime, will haue ented inFig-f8, to its. .dotted .line position., Shown therein by reason off'the movement of the rine'feonneetne nodlwyerenh euh 7.0., .Shaft 7l;eeen 76, end, geen Tnen@ the punts will remain .in this positionunt-ilthe riehthensl. .turn :hee-heenfnieele en@ 'the oer ueenstraightened out, when the pertewill be .automatically restoredtotheir'initial en noioenntye positions inthe ...following @auer-'1 theSteering Wheel 13. iisinoved in e oloehwee dreoton ne vieu/eel v.in .Fiel, to.v .aooomnleh Lthefreln hand. turnfit will enrny with lit .the funndise 'lfhy reneon of the rigid .connect-ion -Ql-hetiieenthe; Said f.,.Wheel and disc.- This motion of the dise 16 vvill initially cause therack orsegmental geen@ to nroeluee nl movement of the uin-A on 26.,.through en une o1c euhetnntinlly 9.0

degrees in a oounter-elookwee dreeton, ne M Viewed Eig-41. This movementof the pnion :Qonnel ite Shaft 2.7 Will oeuee the dog 33 Q, be movedfrom its Vull lineposition shownk in Fig. ,5, .to its .dotted lineposition Shown therein. l This motion of Jehe pinion. shaft unddoen/ill. he vnooor,nnliehed .ni-nh very littlemotion of `theSteerinewheel .13 and Continued motion .of the .lett/e1? Will baring thelgovvenend-Wall 83 of .the recess-25into the pinion 263; whereuponfurther Injoton of .the Wheel 13 .und el'eel Willlhe transmitteddireetly to the-.dise 1.7,; thenehy oarryng'the flog .into .thennnulnn`grown 3,2. L f

ne .the .eeslnloe tnauele .thnoughfnhe end;

(enneigement with the outer 'oreumfeifenee of groove, its toe 35 willstrike the upper projecting end of the plunger 40, which as was abovedisclosed, has been elevated into the ysaid groove, but by reason of thesaid dog being yieldingly pressed by the spring 36, it will rise andride over the said pin, vto assume a position beyond the same.

When the right hand turn has been completed and the steering wheel ismoved in a counter-clockwise direction to again straighten out the car,its motion will be transmitted through the disc 16 to the pinion 26 anddisc 17 to move the latter disc in a counter-clockwise direction also.During such reverse movement, relative movement between the disc 16 andits meshing rack or gear 29 will be prevented, due to the fact that thedog 33 is in the narrow portion of the groove 32, which portion is ofsuch width as to prevent rotation of the dog therein.

It therefore follows that as the circumferential movement of the dogabout the axis of the steering column in a reverse direction isaccomplished, its toe 35 will again engage the upper projecting end ofthe pin 40, this time in such a-manner that it will not ride over thesame, but will transmit its motion to the said pin and through it to thedisc 19, until the latter is restored to such a position that the head41 of the pin 40 will again enter the recess 43 of the disc 20, atwhichtime the parts are in their normal or inoperative positions. Thisreverse movement Vof the disc 19 will, of course, be transmitted throughthe various connections 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 76 and 75 to the indicatormember 73 to restore it to its initial position within the housing 72.

The operations for a left hand turn are similar except that themovements willA be in the opposite directionsto those above disclosed,and the operations necessary to cause the indicator to indicate that thecar, is aboutl to stop are similar to those necessaryfor a left handturn, except that the operating lever 66 is moved further than for aleft hand turn, thereby causing the indicator hand 73 to move through anarc of Vapproximately 135 degrees from its initial position. In the caseo-f the stop indication it will, of course, be necessary to reset theindicator manually through the medium of the operating handle 66, sincethere being nomotion of the steering mechanism in stopping and startingthe car, it would be obviously impossible to reset the indicatorautomatically in the manner above disclosed in connection with the righthand turn. Y Y

While one form of the invention is illustrated and described, it isobvious that those skilled in the art may vary the details ofconstruction as well as the arrangements of parts without departing fromthe spirit of the invention, and therefore itis not wished to be limitedto the above disclosure except Y1,560,7oe

as may be required by the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:

l. An operating mechanism for vehicle motion and direction indicatorscomprising an oscillatory disc, connected to said indicator; meanswhereby said disc may be moved to set said indicator; a second disclconnected to the steering mechanism of the vehicle; and means forconnecting said discs, whereby said second disc may move said firstdisc, and return said indicator to non-indicating position.

2. In an operating mechanism for vehicle indicators, a disc mounted foroscillation and adapted toibe connected to an indicator; a second discconnected to the steering mechanism. of the vehicle; a pin carried bysaid first disc; means for projecting a portion of said pin above thesurface of said disc; and means operable by said second disc to engagesaid projecting portion and to move said pin and first disc.

3. In an operating mechanism for vehicle v indicators, a disc mountedfor 'oscillation and adapted to be connected to an indicator; a seconddisc connected to the steering mechanism of the vehicle; a third discinterposed between said first and second discs; a pin carried byV saidfirst disc; means for projecting a portion of said pin beyond thesurface of said disc; and a dogcarri'ed by said third disc, adapted toengage said pin, said dog and third disc being osthe surface of saiddisc comprising a fourthdisc having a recess for normally receiving chehead of said pin; and a dog carried by said third disc, adapted toengage said pin, said dog and third disc being oscillatable by saidsecond disc to move said first disc.

5. In an operating mechanism for vehicle indicators, a disc mounted foroscillation and adapted to be connected to an indicator; a second discconnected to the steering mechanism of the vehicle; a third discinterposed between said first and second discs; a pin carried by saidfirst disc; means for projecting a portion ofsaid pin beyond the surfaceof saiddisc comprising a. fourth disc having arecess for normallyreceiving the head of said pin; means for interlocking'said first andfourth discs, whereby they will move together through a predeterminedarc; means for automatically unlocking said discs; and a dogcarried bysaid dog and third disc being oscillatable by said.

second disc to move said iirst disc.

6. In an operating mechanism for ve-v hicle indicators; a disc mountedfor oscillation and adapted to be connected to an indicator; a seconddisc connected to the, steering mechanism of the vehicle; a third discinterposed between said iirst and second discs; a pin carried by saidrst disc; means 'l'or projecting a portion of said pin beyond thesurface of said disc comprising a fourth disc having a recess fornormally receiving the head of' said pin; means for interlocking saidfirst and fourth discs, whereby they will y move together throughl apredetermined arc; gg'lmeans for automatically unlocking said "discs;means for automatically returning {said fourth disc to its initialposition indefpendently of said first disc; and a dog carried by saidthird disc, adapted to engage said pin, said dog and third disc beingoscil- -latable by said second disc to move said first y isc. v

4 ture.

CHARLES H. LIDDELL.

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signa- 25`

